Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
A player who misses the first night of a four-game window is not written off. He is managed. The second teamsheet is where that plan becomes public.
Being among the 23 is the step that matters more than starting. It means the medical staff on both sides have signed the same piece of paper.
Club football is still a fortnight away. Minutes tonight would be a bonus. Availability is the point.
READ MORE: Arsenal defender confirms he is now injured live on radio
Jurrien Timber is on the Netherlands bench for Sunday’s Nations League match away to Serbia, kick-off 5pm BST at the Crvena Zvezda Stadium.
He was one of three players cut from the 23 for Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Germany in Amsterdam, along with Kenneth Taylor and Gjivai Zechiël. UEFA limits force that trim from a 26-man camp. Timber had trained alone on Monday and Tuesday on a programme agreed with Arsenal, then joined the group on Wednesday.
Xavi had still called him available before the Germany game.
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“We have to be a bit careful with Jurrien Timber, who was injured for a long time. But he is available, that goes for everyone.”
Available then meant the 26. Available now means the matchday squad in Belgrade. Denzel Dumfries starts at right-back. Quinten Timber is also among the substitutes.
The 25-year-old has 105 Premier League minutes this season: 45 at Sunderland and 60 in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton, his first start since 14 March. He missed the World Cup after forcing himself into the Champions League final and later described that night as “a miracle”.
Arsenal’s defence is thin. William Saliba is targeting late October. Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are working back. Piero Hincapie has confirmed an injury kept him off Ecuador’s Asia tour. A fit Timber for Leeds on 10 October would be a genuine addition, not a luxury.
Xavi’s side drew with Germany after Cody Gakpo’s stoppage-time equaliser. Serbia lost 2-1 at home to Greece on Thursday. The Netherlands then play Greece on 1 October and host Serbia on 4 October.
Coming off the bench in Belgrade would be the first international minutes of the window. Staying unused would still beat another night in the stands. Either way, the squad list is the update Arsenal wanted: he is in the 23, the groin has held through the first camp, and the cautious plan has moved one step forward.
Arsenal huddle
Arsenal huddle